Manchester City have once again turned down a fresh proposal from Barcelona for their midfield linchpin Rodri, this time reportedly in the region of £55 million. The Catalan side had already seen an earlier bid, estimated at around £40 million, dismissed by the English club last week. According to Sky Sports News, Barcelona intended to improve that figure, aiming for a sum somewhere between £50 million and £60 million, but even the increased amount fell short of what City are prepared to accept. Rodri, now 30, is entering the final year of his contract with Manchester City, and the club has signaled that they are looking for a fee north of £60 million should they decide to let the Spanish World Cup winner go.
The negotiations are still active, and both clubs remain engaged in talks about the player's future. Sources close to the situation have indicated that City are not eager to part with their captain. The club's preferred route appears to be securing a new long‑term deal that keeps Rodri in the Premier League and continues his pivotal role in Pep Guardiola's midfield.
However, the club has also made it clear that if the player were to request a move, they would not stand in his way, suggesting a pragmatic approach to the transfer market. In parallel with the Rodri saga, Manchester City are reportedly in discussions with Saudi Arabian outfit Al Qadsiah regarding the potential sale of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
The Saudi side is said to be willing to shell out a package worth roughly £51.3 million (about €60 million) for the 26‑year‑old, who is considered a world‑class talent at the peak of his abilities. Al Qadsiah, who are preparing for their inaugural Asian Champions League campaign, see Reijnders as a key addition to bolster their midfield as they move into their newly built Aramco Stadium.
If both deals were to go through, City could find themselves without two central midfielders. Yet the club appears to have already identified potential replacements.
Interest has been reported in Argentine playmaker Enzo Fernández and French youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi. Chelsea have reportedly set a deadline of Friday 5 p.m. for City to respond to a £120 million bid for Fernández, while talks continue with Lille over Bouaddi's future.
The broader context of these negotiations highlights the delicate balancing act that top clubs face in managing squad depth, financial considerations, and the ambitions of individual players. Rodri, who captained Spain to World Cup glory in 2022, has been a cornerstone of City’s recent successes, providing a blend of defensive solidity and intelligent distribution that has allowed the team to dominate both domestically and in Europe. His contract situation adds urgency to the discussions, as the club must decide whether to invest in a new contract that could tie him down for several more years or accept a substantial transfer fee that could be reinvested in the squad.
Barcelona, on the other hand, are eager to reinforce their midfield after a season that fell short of expectations. The Catalan giants have identified Rodri as a player who can bring leadership, tactical awareness, and a winning mentality to their roster. Their willingness to increase their offer demonstrates a serious intent, but they must also contend with City’s valuation and the risk that the English club may ultimately retain their star midfielder. Meanwhile, the potential departure of Reijnders to Al Qadsiah reflects the growing financial pull of clubs outside Europe, particularly those in the Middle East, who are investing heavily to raise their competitive profiles.
For City, the sale could free up wages and generate a sizable transfer fee, which could be allocated toward new signings or contract extensions for existing players. In summary, Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s latest £55 million bid for Rodri, maintaining a higher price expectation while also exploring a possible sale of Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah for around £51 million. The club is simultaneously monitoring interest in Enzo Fernández and Ayyoub Bouaddi as potential midfield reinforcements. The outcomes of these negotiations will shape the composition of City’s midfield for the upcoming season and could have ripple effects across the European transfer market.